Ibrahima Bakayoko (born December 31, 1976^[1] in Seguela) is a striker for the Côte d'Ivoire and the Greek Superleague minors PAS Giannina.

[edit] Club career

Playing in France with Montpellier Hérault Sport Club, Bakayoko was rated highly enough by then Everton manager Walter Smith that Smith was willing to pay £4.5m for Bakayoko's services in October 1998. However, he failed to impress in the 23 games he played, only finding the net 4 times; Everton fans referred to Ibrahima affectionately as 'Baka-joke-o' due to his appalling performance on the football field. He was sold for £4m in June 1999 to Olympique de Marseille.

A spell in Spain with Osasuna followed, before Bakayoko returned for a third spell in France, this time representing FC Istres, before he moved over the Alps to Italy, first with Livorno and then with Messina.On January 28, 2007 he played his first Serie A match for Messina against Ascoli.

In the summer of 2007 he joined Greek Superleague outfit AE Larissa. On 20 September 2007 he scored from 30 yards for his new side in the UEFA Cup first round first leg against English Premiership side Blackburn. On June 19, 2008 he joined PAOK for a year. He has scored many vital goals so far this season saving PAOK many points in the dying minutes. This made PAOK fans love him and sing his name in every match he's playing. They also Nicknamed him Baka-goal.

Following a short transfer thriller after his contract expired, Bakayoko signed a two-years contract for the newly-promoted PAS Giannina on July 27, 2009.^[2]

[edit] International career

Bakayoko is a former international for Côte d'Ivoire. He made his first appearance for The Elephants in 1996.

[edit] References

v • d • e Côte d'Ivoire squad – 2000 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Gouaméné • 2 Dao • 3 Zéré • 4 Diabaté • 5 Akassou • 6 Tébily • 7 Kone • 8 Angan • 9 Kouassi • 10 Bakayoko • 11 Diallo • 12 Dié • 13 Badra • 14 Guel • 15 Kalou • 16 Diarra • 17 Domoraud • 18 Dago • 19 Abouo • 20 Zoko • 21 Sié • 22 Tizié • Coach: Martin